Mechanical and Thermal Behaviour of Ecofriendly Composites
Reinforced by Kenaf and Caroà Fibers

1Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, National Research Council of Italy, Via Campi Flegrei, 34 80078 Pozzuoli (Na), Italy2Department of Materials and Production Engineering, University of Napoli “Federico II”, p.le Tecchio, 80 80125 Napoli, Italy

Abstract

Two kinds of environmental friendly composites were prepared based on sustainable matrices, respectively, defatted cross-linked soy flour and thermoplastic polyhydroxybutyrate cohydroxyvalerate, reinforced by natural fibers from Caroà and Kenaf plants. The obtained composites were compared in terms of moisture tolerance, thermal and mechanical properties, and thermoregulation ability. It was found that this ecofriendly systems have suitable properties for indoor applications in housing and transportation.